Ask the Expert: I'm almost 50 and still suffering from adult acne.....

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Question:

I’m almost 50 and still suffering from adult acne. It’s not severe enough to treat with Accutane, but still causes a good deal of insecurity. Most over-the-counter products dry my skin. Do you have any suggestions for something non-drying, but effective?

Answer:

As you’ve probably discovered, it seems like the acne treatment aisle at the pharmacy goes on forever. Every company seems to have an acne treatment line of some sort. It can be very overwhelming and difficult to make a decision on which is best for you.

Fortunately, it really comes down to a couple of basic active ingredients to look for. The two most common, effective active ingredients in over-the-counter (OTC) acne preparations are benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. These will come in multiple, different strengths. As you would expect, the higher the strength, the more effective they are. Both have similar effectiveness, but work in different ways.

For people with very sensitive or dry skin, a salicylic acid product is probably a better option. Benzoyl peroxide has tendency to be more irritating and drying.

Regardless of which option you choose, there are a few important factors to remember when treating acne. First, consistency and patience are critical. Whatever option you choose, you need to do it every day and you need to give it time to work. It can take 2-3 months to see results sometimes. Secondly, appropriate face washing is important. With facial cleansers, you should allow the cleanser to stay on your skin for 30-60 seconds before rinsing. This gives the cleanser time to work before removing it.

In the end, if you’re not getting results from OTC products, you should see your physician to see if there are any prescription medications that are appropriate for you.